Service Opportunities

Aaronic Priesthood Ordinances

Blessing the Sacrament

Priests bless the sacramental bread using these words: “O God, the Eternal
Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify
this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in
remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal
Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always
remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may
always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen” (D&C 20:77).

They bless the water using these words: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee
in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to the
souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the
blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O
God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have
his Spirit to be with them. Amen” (D&C 20:79).

Performing a Baptism

Under the direction of the presiding authority, a priest may perform the
ordinance of baptism. To do so, he:

1.

Stands in the water with the person to be
baptized.

2.

Holds the person’s right wrist with his left hand (for
convenience and safety); the person who is being baptized holds the
priesthood holder’s left wrist with his or her left hand.

3.

Raises his right arm to the square.

4.

States the person’s full name and says, “Having been
commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” (D&C 20:73).

5.

Has the person hold his or her nose with the right
hand (for convenience); then the priesthood holder places his right
hand high on the person’s back and immerses the person completely,
including the person’s clothing.

6.

Helps the person come up out of the water.

Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood and Ordaining to an Office

When authorized by the presiding authority, a priest may confer the Aaronic
Priesthood and ordain a person to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood.

To perform a priesthood ordination, one or more authorized priesthood holders
place their hands lightly on the person’s head. Then the person who performs the
ordination:

1.

Calls the person by his full name.

2.

States the authority by which the ordination is
performed (Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood).

3.

Confers the Aaronic Priesthood, unless it has already
been conferred.

4.

Ordains the person to an office in the Aaronic
Priesthood (deacon, teacher, or priest) and bestows the rights,
powers, and authority of that office. (Priesthood keys are not
bestowed in conferring the priesthood or ordaining to one of these
offices.)